A crafty way to beat the heat

Summer in Florida causes some folks to hibernate, even though they would like to be outside. Camp Bayou's Dolly Cummings would like to change that.

"The heat and humidity can be a challenge," Cummings said, "but we still want people to be able to enjoy Camp Bayou. Not everyone enjoys being outdoors in the summer, so we needed a way to share nature - in the air conditioning.

Cummings recently came up with Crafting Naturally, a two-month series of Friday crafts classes designed to engage participants in nature-themed activities while promoting sustainability.

"We are giving them a reason to come out without having to break a sweat," she said.

In her first class, Cummings demonstrated how to make wreaths from grapevines, which can be found in a neighbor's yard or grown in your own. The plants encourage wildlife to visit by providing a food source for birds, shelter for rabbits and a roosting area for bats, she said.

Deborah Theisen brought her home-schooled daughter, Avalon, 9, all the way from Wesley Chapel for the class.

"Avalon spends a lot of time outdoors in nature and also loves creating things," Theisen said. "When I first attended naturalist classes at Camp Bayou, I knew that my family would feel right at home there, and that it would be worth the drive.

"The crafts program is perfect for this time of year - encouraging appreciation of what is outside while enjoying the cool air on the inside," she said. "One unique aspect is it almost takes you back in a time machine to a simpler time, where all ages mixed together to create beautiful things and simply enjoy each other's company.

"Our only complaint is that the class [is only] an hour!"

Avalon said she has learned a lot so far.

"Camp Bayou gives me new ideas to take things I love from the outside world and turn them into beautiful art," she said. "I have learned how to choose vines to make grapevine wreaths, make roses from pine cones and cross-stitch butterflies.

"I really love the crafts classes, but there are other great things to do at Camp Bayou, too, like taking water samples from the river and seeing what creatures might live there. One of my favorite things is the Timucuan village right across from the classroom."

That's exactly what Cummings wants.

"People don't realize how much there is to do at Camp Bayou," she said. "While they're here for the crafting class, they can visit the Nature Center, walk a trail, fish in the river (with a license or cane pole) or have lunch in our covered pavilion."

They are also invited to take pictures of any nature scene or animal at Camp Bayou to enter in its annual photo contest for the December open house, Cummings said. Last year's winners are on display at the South Shore Regional Library.

"We have visited many times over the past few months and have even brought along many friends," Theisen said. "The people and the environment are ideal for families looking for some true Florida fun."

Crafting Naturally classes at Camp Bayou Nature Preserve are Fridays through July from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. There is a one-time cost of $5 to participate. Each class offers a challenging activity for adults and older children and another for younger children.

ABOUT CAMP BAYOU

To learn more about Camp Bayou and what it has to offer, visit www.campbayou.org.